Judas Iscariot was one of the strongest forces in the US Black Metal underground; many Black Metal fans even claim that Judas Iscariot is the best act that has emerged from the States. As for me, I don’t know if it’s the best, but I’m sure as Hell it’s one of the best.

To Embrace the Corpses Bleeding was the last full-length released by Judas Iscariot, and to many, including me, a sad decision. Akhenaten released through Judas Iscariot many mighty albums, including the classic Heaven in Flames, which remains 'till date, one of my favorite releases ever; it is a pity that such an important entity ceases to exist, especially when it’s clear that it still has the strength and creativity that this man has; just listen to this album and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.

The first track begins with the sound of rain falling; suddenly lightning strikes and I Awoke to a Night of Pain and Carnage explodes; what an opener I must say!; this song has some truly killer and memorable Black Metal riffs, including the brilliant chorus and bridge; the last minutes of the song include a great mid-tempo riff that simply confirms that even though Judas Iscariot is a raw, straight forward Black Metal band, it still knows how to manage dynamics to keep the songs interesting. Following the amazing opener we receive the ultra fast assault, Bathed in Clouds of Blood, if you had the slightest doubt that Cryptic Winter, who is the session drummer for this album, knows how to drum, you’ll have it cleared after listening to this song; he has to be one of the fastest drummers in the world of Black Metal, I mean we’re talking of more than three minutes of constant blast-beats with great fills. Following the vein of the previous tracks we have Terror from the Eastern Sky and Where Eagles Cry and Vultures Laugh, which once again display Akhenaten as a great Black Metal composer with his great riffs and general strong song structures.

The next song, In the Valley of Death, I Am their King, is another absolutely brilliant song; the song features a great keyboard and excellent mid-tempo riffing; I’ve always liked how Akhenaten made use of keyboards, adding atmosphere and power, more than flashiness, as opposed to bands like Dimmu Borgir where the keyboards play an essential role as lead instrument in some parts. Anyway a bit after the middle the song has a tempo change and another, not from this world, blistering riff is thrown in; one of my favorite Black Metal riffs in one of my favorite Black Metal songs; excellent. The rest of the songs in the album are more tremolo riffing, blast-beating extravaganza, with the exception of the mid-paced Spectral Dance of the Macabre, which will make you headbang all the way.

The slaughter continues with some more great songs that would make any Black Metal freak, like me, happy. Blast-beat after blast-beat, riff after riff. If you’re looking for raw, fast, hatful Black Metal, don’t look further; this one should prove worthy of your dark desires.

The vocals in the album are great, less grim than in previous releases, but they still work perfectly with the music. As for the production, it is way more accessible and clear than in the previous releases; I guess that some Black Metal purists thought it was a bad move, but I don’t really care.

If you’re new to this great band or to pure, raw Black Metal, this is a great place to begin your journey; if you liked Judas Iscariot’s previous works you’ll feel right at home with this one.

Judas Iscariot will be remembered as one of the best Black Metal bands to emerge from the United States with its amazing dischography as proof; so if you think this one's good, wait till you hear their previous works, especially Heaven in Flames; you'll be blown away. Hail Judas Iscariot and hail Akhenaten!!!

Killing Songs : Terror from the Eastern Sky,With Lust and Murder for our Drink and Spectral Dance of the Macabre are great, but I Awoke to a Night of Pain and Carnage and In the Valley of Death, I Am their King are brilliant.